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*Corporate earnings lift U.S., European stocks. NEW YORK, July 29- Global equity markets rose on Wednesday, lifted by strong U.S. and European corporate earnings and a Federal Reserve statement that said the U.S. economy continues to strengthen, adding to expectations that an interest rate hike is getting closer. "The Fed is taking baby steps towards a rate hike," said...

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it is ready to assist Zimbabwe in its investigation of an American dentist's killing of a protected African lion and will conduct its own probe. Laury Parramore of the Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday declined to say what the agency might do once it has more information. Police have not said whether Palmer...

*Fed leaves interest rates unchanged. NEW YORK, July 29- U.S. "It looks like from the statement they slightly upgraded their language on the labor market," said Shyam Rajan, head of U.S. interest rate strategy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

WASHINGTON— Below is the statement the Fed released Wednesday after its latest policy meeting ended:. Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June indicates that economic activity has been expanding moderately in recent months. Growth in household spending has been moderate and the housing sector has shown additional...

WASHINGTON, July 29- The U.S. economy and job market continue to strengthen, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, leaving the door open for a possible interest rate hike when central bank policymakers next meet in September. Following a two-day policy meeting, Fed officials said they felt the economy had overcome a first-quarter slowdown and was "expanding...

WASHINGTON— The Federal Reserve appears on track to raise interest rates later this year but signaled Wednesday that it wants to see further economic gains and higher inflation before doing so. A statement from the Fed after its latest policy meeting provided no timetable. Many analysts foresee the first hike in September, though Fed Chair Janet Yellen has...

WASHINGTON, July 29- The U.S. economy and job market continue to strengthen, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, leaving the door open for a possible interest rate hike when central bank policymakers next meet in September. Following a two-day policy meeting, Fed officials said they felt the economy had overcome a first-quarter slowdown and was "expanding...

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the extendable rack inside the oven can fall out. They were sold at Sears, Pacific Sales and other stores for between $2,500 and $5,000. Whirlpool Corp., based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, says customers should stop using the extendable rack and contact the company for a free inspection and repair.

*Antofagasta cuts annual production guidance. LONDON, July 29- Copper dipped on Wednesday ahead of a U.S. central bank statement expected to set the stage for an interest rate hike in September and a potentially firmer dollar. Copper rallied earlier in the session, sparked by a rebound on the Chinese stock market and hopes of more stimulus in the world's top...

NEW YORK, July 29- The dollar held steady against major currencies on Wednesday as traders awaited possible clues from the Federal Reserve on whether it will raise interest rates, perhaps as early as September. Although inflation has remained below the Fed's 2 percent target and overseas developments including the European debt crisis and most recently...

LONDON, July 29- Major currencies that are closely linked to commodities prices were back on the defensive on Wednesday as oil prices inched lower and traders awaited the outcome of a U.S. The New Zealand dollar was again the exception to that rule, gaining after the country's central bank governor played down the chances of further deep cuts to interest rates...

TOKYO, July 29- Japanese government bonds edged down on Wednesday, though moves were small as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting later in the session for clues to the timing of an expected interest rate increase. The Bank of Japan offered to buy 375 billion yen of JGBs in the 1- year to 3- year zone, 425 billion yen of JGBs in the 3- year...

NEW YORK— U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after Federal Reserve policymakers voted to keep interest rates unchanged and gave no indication that a rate rise was imminent. "Yeah, the economy is improving, but they are not really saying that the economy is taking off here," said Tom di Galoma, head of rates trading at ED&F Man Capital. There are several reasons why the Fed...

WASHINGTON, July 29- The Federal Reserve is expected on Wednesday to point to a growing U.S. economy and stronger job market as it sets the stage for a possible interest rate hike in September. With a slew of employment, inflation and GDP reports to come before its September meeting, the Fed is unlikely to hint too strongly about its plans, Barclays economists...

WASHINGTON— The Federal Reserve is moving toward raising interest rates from record lows— just not likely yet. The meeting will end with a policy statement but no news conference by Chair Janet Yellen. "Our economy is in a much better state," Yellen told Congress earlier this month.

Patients are sedated during the procedure, which takes less than 30 minutes, according to an FDA release. The FDA previously approved another balloon device for weight loss but it was withdrawn in 1992 due to a safety issue in which the balloon could rupture and block patients' arteries. "The new device aims to address the design failings of the earlier device," said...

Jeff Miller, R- Fla., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, would allow VA to use $3.35 billion from the new Veterans Choice program to pay for private health care for veterans from May 1 to Oct. 1. The VA has told Congress that it may shutter hospitals unless it receives flexibility to close a $2.5 billion shortfall caused by a sharp increase in demand by...

The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved the Small Business Administration loan program in a bill the Senate had already passed. But the Senate took lightning-fast action to raise the SBA lending limit in less than a day, marking a stark contrast with Congress' protracted battle over another federal loan guarantee agency, the U.S....

NEW YORK, July 28- The U.S. dollar rebounded against the euro and yen on Tuesday after traders took profits from gains in those currencies and favored the greenback on expectations that the Federal Reserve could take a hawkish bias in a policy statement on Wednesday. "Anybody who bought euros amid the 1 percent rally yesterday is likely to take some money off the...